Ebonyi Commissioner Appeals To Persons with Disabilities To Shun Crime
Abah Joshua
Commissioner for grants and donor agencies, Hon. Solomon Azi has urged persons with disabilities in Ebonyi state to avoid any act of criminality.
Azi, who spoke recently when he received the joint association of persons with disabilities and some CSOs working for the promogation of the disability bill in Ebonyi in his office, said government detaste such criminal act.
The team lead by Project Lead Hope Inspired Foundation For Women and Youth With Disabilities, Comrade Oluchi Nwite told journalists that the purpose of the advocacy visit to the commissioner was to appreciate his efforts in introducing the people with disability bill during to the state Executive Council, and also to present him with the final reviewed copy of the disability bill.
Oluchi further said the visit was an opportunity to get further commitment from the commissioner to ensure that the bill receives accelerated passage.
She explained that the call for the disability bill has lasted for over 12 years and Ebonyi is the only state in the southeast yet to domesticate the law even when 4% of Ebonyi residents consists of persons with disabilities.
Ebonyi state executive council had in the last excecutive council meeting approved a memo on the need for the establishment of the Ebonyi State Disability Rights Commission Law and other matters.
The council further directed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to ensure the transmission of the executive correspondence on the council’s decision to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly for legislative actions.
Addressing the group which comprised of the executives of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), CSO’s in the state, State Coordinator GBV taskforce, National Human Right Commision Cordinator, Nigerian Girls guide Association, Network of CSO’s Against Trafficking Abuse and Labour, HOD Rehabilitation Department, Ministry of Women affairs and the technical working committee for women with disabilities in the state, the commissioner emphasized that while the government works for their well being, they should avoid any form of crime.
“This government does not conform with that. And the government of Francis Nwifuru is people-oriented. That is why we call it people’s charter of need.
“This means we are going to do what the people want. Not what we in government want. And this bill, you know, is what the people want.”
Commissioner Azi explained, that in the course of his job, he ealized that they were certain grants that they were expected to enjoy are supposed to be as special people.
“They are physically challenged. But they couldn’t access those grants because this law wasn’t there. And the only way to open these doors for us to access these grants is to make sure that this law is promulgated.
“I also see that in our governor’s people’s charter of needs, there’s need for inclusiveness. There’s need for transparency. And to demonstrate such to both local and internationally, this law also has to be promulgated. I also look at my people and my friends around me, these special people. They are all part of us.” He said.
Commissioner Azi thanked the state governor Francis Nwifuru for approving the transmission of the draft to the House of Assembly for promulgation.
